The adoption of emergency features on smartphones is made possible thanks to the use of advanced modems, multiple sensors, and improved processing power, but despite Android handsets having access to all three, they are unable to offer the same life-saving additions as Apple quickly enough, which is adversely affecting their market share.
According to the latest research, the iPhone maker leads the pack in satellite connectivity, which has become a strong base for getting people out of hairy situations, with the company currently sitting comfortably with a 71.6 percent market share.
With nearly one in two smartphones expected to support satellite connectivity by 2030, Android smartphone makers need to take adoption to the fifth gear
Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite was introduced in 2022 when it launched the iPhone 14, giving it a head start of several years. However, the company hasn’t stopped expanding on this front as it also introduced features like Roadside Assistance via satellite and Crash Detection, putting it a step above its rivals. According to Counterpoint Research, 46 percent of global smartphone shipments will support satellite connectivity by 2030.
“Nearly one in two smartphones is expected to support satellite connectivity by 2030. Apple, Google and Samsung will lead in terms of overall penetration, but Android brands targeting the entry and mid-price segments will see less penetration. Satellite offerings by more Android players and telecom operators beyond developed markets will play a key role in accelerating global adoption.”
Seeing the potential of Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite, Qualcomm attempted to replicate the feature by attempting to enter a partnership with Iridium, but it took a little while after the iPhone 14 launch for Android smartphone manufacturers to realize the potential of transforming their devices into a life-saving tool. Based on 2025 statistics, Apple’s biggest rival in this space, Samsung, only has a 6.1 percent global market share, followed by Huawei at 6.1 percent.
The primary reason smartphones now have satellite connectivity is thanks to Apple’s partnership with Globalstar, with the latter now acquired by Amazon. The iPhone 18 lineup, arriving later this year, is expected to take a leap forward by offering a new protocol that treats satellites as distant cell towers, enabling better reliability and more features. It is almost certain that Apple’s competition will be playing ‘catch up,’ with this standard, but Counterpoint Research says that there’s one area that’s also limiting mass adoption.
For one thing, satellite connectivity is mostly driven by smartphones priced in the premium category, with the 3GPP Release 17 standard limited to SOS and messaging. 3GPP Release 18 should expand on the feature set, but the 3GPP Release 19 protocol, intended for the mid-range smartphone category, could accelerate adoption. Moreover, if Qualcomm keeps these features limited to high-end Android handsets thanks to its pricey modems, we may likely never witness the faster proliferation of this feature.
News Source: Counterpoint Research
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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